Diving after ruptured achilles tendon

[Harald Franzen]

Hello all,

After two consecutive trauma's, I was diagnosed having a ruptured achilles tendon. As the injury was not entirely "fresh", the surgeon decided to apply the conservative treatment (six weeks in a cast and after that hopefully revalidation).

I've discussed my express desire to remain able to go cave diving with the surgeon, but I am not getting explicitly positive feedback (Okay, this dude doesn't have a crystal ball).

Has anyone other than me on this list experienced a ruptured achilles tendon and how did it effect diving activities after revalidation ?

Thanks for all input !


Cheers,


Harald
(1 week down, 5 weeks to go with my left leg in a cast)

[wilbo]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Harald Franzen)

Hello all,

After two consecutive trauma's, I was diagnosed having a ruptured achilles tendon. As the injury was not entirely "fresh", the surgeon decided to apply the conservative treatment (six weeks in a cast and after that hopefully revalidation).

I've discussed my express desire to remain able to go cave diving with the surgeon, but I am not getting explicitly positive feedback (Okay, this dude doesn't have a crystal ball).

Has anyone other than me on this list experienced a ruptured achilles tendon and how did it effect diving activities after revalidation ?

Thanks for all input !


Cheers,


Harald
(1 week down, 5 weeks to go with my left leg in a cast)

Harald - I would go and see a *diving doctor* as well - someone with a medical background who also actively dives - as they will understand all the stresses and strains you are likely to put onto your ankle and achilles tendon. They should also be able to give you good advice.

good luck

[movil]

Hi Harald,

sorry to hear about your tendon rupture. I suffered the same incident some 7 years ago, playing squash. I suddenly tore my left Achilles tendon. I was applied the same treatment as you.

The good news is that I have had no issues diving since. I did consult a doctor with diving background when I went for a medical and he only recommended that I strech before going in the water, just the same as the doctor at the hospital did.

I make a point of mentioning this incident every time I see a doctor or take a course, but I have had not troubles at all.

It was a painful recovery so I understand your predicament.

Safe recovery!

Jorge

Quote: (Originally Posted by Harald Franzen)

Hello all,

After two consecutive trauma's, I was diagnosed having a ruptured achilles tendon. As the injury was not entirely "fresh", the surgeon decided to apply the conservative treatment (six weeks in a cast and after that hopefully revalidation).

I've discussed my express desire to remain able to go cave diving with the surgeon, but I am not getting explicitly positive feedback (Okay, this dude doesn't have a crystal ball).

Has anyone other than me on this list experienced a ruptured achilles tendon and how did it effect diving activities after revalidation ?

Thanks for all input !


Cheers,


Harald
(1 week down, 5 weeks to go with my left leg in a cast)

[Harald Franzen]

Quote: (Originally Posted by movil)

Hi Harald,

sorry to hear about your tendon rupture. I suffered the same incident some 7 years ago, playing squash. I suddenly tore my left Achilles tendon. I was applied the same treatment as you.

The good news is that I have had no issues diving since. I did consult a doctor with diving background when I went for a medical and he only recommended that I strech before going in the water, just the same as the doctor at the hospital did.

I make a point of mentioning this incident every time I see a doctor or take a course, but I have had not troubles at all.

It was a painful recovery so I understand your predicament.

Safe recovery!

Jorge

Hi Jorge,

Thanks for your reply dude ! I really needed some positivism here.

How do you deal with difficult situations getting in the water (uneven surfaces, rocks (pebbles for the Brits)), et cetera ?

I'm really worried that even after the treatment, I will be damn vulnerable for a reoccurence once I try to get into the water with 50+ kilo's of equipment.

Same with jumping off a boat (and climbing back on).

Cheers,

Harald

[movil]

Hi Harald,

some more good news: I took my DIRF and Cave 1 (never finished it though :-( after this incident. I have been diving in a number of different conditions, including pebble beaches, ribs, hardboats, some caves, etc. without any major difficulty. I normally dive a 12l twinset.

As long as the tendon heals correctly, there should be no issues, or so I have been told. It will be weaker than before as this conservative method relies on the fibres reattaching themselves, which may or not be successful. I have avoided high impact sports since the incident, resorting to cycling or swimming instead. Arguably you could continue with your previous sport life (squash in my case) but this is a sure way to have another rupture, or two, since the other tendon is probably just as weak. A second rupture would require surgery and 6 months of recovery.

I have the occasional localised pain in the area, but nothing to be concerned about.

Have a complete recovery and continue your diving:-)

All the best
Jorge

Quote: (Originally Posted by Harald Franzen)

Hi Jorge,

Thanks for your reply dude ! I really needed some positivism here.

How do you deal with difficult situations getting in the water (uneven surfaces, rocks (pebbles for the Brits)), et cetera ?

I'm really worried that even after the treatment, I will be damn vulnerable for a reoccurence once I try to get into the water with 50+ kilo's of equipment.

Same with jumping off a boat (and climbing back on).

Cheers,

Harald

[Dun]

Hi Harald,

I'm not sure if my post helps or not. I also tore my achille's tendon about 6 years ago. The doctors had a hard time deciding what was wrong with it until about 2 years ago, so it was never properly treated. I didn't have the cast, just crutches, as I had also torn all the tissue in my foot and damaged the knuckle joint on the top of the foot (gotta love Thoroughbreds). I do exercises to keep the elasticity in the tendon, and as long as I don't go running every day, it usually does not affect me. It has yet to affect me in the water *knock on wood.* We dive about 3 times a week, and just as a precaution, I am careful with tricky entry points, but haven't yet had a problem.

Good luck and I hope you heal!

[Harald Franzen]

Hi Chantelle,

Thanks ! All positive news helps


Cheers,

Harald

[Harald Franzen]

Thanks again everyone for responding to my questions. It really looked pretty bad.

After six weeks in a cast (2 weeks with my foot stretched, then 4 weeks with the foot at a 90 degree angle), I am to wear a stocking that will support my leg and foot.

The muscles in the left leg have deteriorated tremendously (which also looks pretty silly). Not to mention the farmers' tan But hey, that's noting, right


The healing process went very well; the tendon has reconnected and shows no evidence of discontinuities; it's just your regular achilles' tendon. Yet, it is still stiff; I cannot lift my toes as far up as with the "normal" foot.

Then again, my surgeon was surprised at the speed at which I am regaining the function, so now I can go and swim daily (for two weeks) and after that he wants me to go ride my bike (for another two weeks).

After that, I should be able to walk normally and we'll look at the situation then. It still might take some physical therapy, but we'll see in a few weeks.

Most importantly, my surgeon indicated that I will not have any negative drawbacks where it comes to future diving and sports activities, barring indoor sports (squash, indoor soccer, that kind of stuff). Explosive movement on hard-top surfaces might be a little tricky, but abseiling with 50 kg of diving gear and entering the water with it's uneven surfaces should not be a problem at all (hurray ! ).

Thanks again for the moral support I'd been getting here !

[Rubis]

Hey Harald,

if I am not mistaken, Spectre from The Deco Stop ruptured his achille's tendon as well. You might want to talk to him

Cheers

Cris